DTI reminds public anew to buy certified Christmas lights

DAGUPAN CITY – As Christmas time draws near, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reminding consumers anew to only buy certified Christmas lights.

“We remind everyone to always look for the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker or the printed Philippine Standard (PS) mark, especially when purchasing and using Christmas lights,” said Marjury Lorezco, chief trade and industry development specialist of DTI-Pangasinan.

Products that don’t have these certifications are a threat to a household, especially because they are vulnerable to catch fire.

“Be vigilant and cautious in choosing and buying Christmas lights to decorate your homes so as not to put the lives of your love ones and your properties in danger,” Lorezco said during the Pantongtongan Tayo (Pag-usapan Natin) radio program of the Philippine Information Agency-Pangasinan aired over DZMQ Radyo Pilipinas-Dagupan on Tuesday.

She encouraged the consumers to look for proper markings and labels on the packaging of the Christmas lights.

“Only those Christmas lights with ICC sticker or the PS mark have passed the safety tests of the Bureau of Product Standards, which means that they are reliable and safe to use,” she added.

As an added precaution, Lorezco urged consumers to follow safety instructions such as avoiding outdoor use of Christmas lights designed to be used only indoors, limiting Christmas light attachments, and disconnecting the product from its power source when it is not in use.

“The public may report immediately to the DTI–Pangasinan Provincial Office if they find uncertified or substandard products or have been victims of these products,” she said.

Meanwhile, Lorezco is encouraging the public to go local when buying gifts this Christmas.

“Let us support quality and innovative Philippine products crafted, designed and produced by the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises that help different communities earn a living,” she said. (April M. Montes-Bravo / PIA Pangasinan)